I've booked an All-Partners aaward HKG-xSYD-MEL-xSYD-HKG in F for 90k miles. Initially the return was MEL-xSYD-xSIN-HKG because we couldn't find any availability in F on the direct flights on my preferred date of travel, but this was then knocked back by "management" who decided that my itinerary was not "the most direct." I'd thought I was allowed any routing I wanted, short of routing outside the relevant regions, in order to secure award inventory. So does the "most direct" rule also mean that I'm not allowed to travel on "less direct" routes when the "most direct" routes have no inventory?

Also, I was notified of the problem via email and the number I was given to call routed to the EXP desk. I'm only a mere Plat. Not that I'm complaining of course. To be fair, the EXP AAgent was most helpful in trying to get me seats in F on the "most direct" routes and was only following instructions on the PNR from "management." She also said that the EXP desk will soon become the "Concierge Key" and that Plats are also eligible for this new service - can anyone confirm?

Cheers.